Byela Academy’s Post

For those who are recently following my journey, I'd like to introduce you to my son, Orlando. He's about to turn 11 this September and catalyzes my DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) journey. When I found out I was five weeks pregnant with Orlando, I was thrilled and couldn't wait to share the news with my managers (five in total). However, their response was like a bucket of ice-cold water. Instead of congratulations, I was met with invasive questions and comments: "Was the pregnancy planned?", "This could affect your career,"  and "Can you balance motherhood with your professional responsibilities?" The audacity of these questions left me frozen due to the power dynamics at play. In retrospect, I wish I had voiced how hurtful their comments were. Despite my assurance that I had everything covered, the bullying persisted throughout my pregnancy, adding unnecessary stress during an already challenging time. This stress led to hypertension, endangering both me and my unborn child. Fortunately, it did not result in a miscarriage, but the experience was harrowing. Sadly, my story is far from unique. The birth of Orlando marked a turning point in my life. Inspired by him, I found my inner strength and committed myself to combat workplace exclusion. My goal then and now is to create a better environment for Orlando and his generation. I embraced a growth mindset, activating change from within. I am incredibly proud of Orlando's journey and the valuable lessons he teaches his parents and those who have seen him in an inspirational short movie. His presence has been a beacon of hope and motivation for many. Orlando's summer school teacher was surprised by his height until she met me. Yes, Orlando has tall parents, and he has the potential to grow beyond 2 meters (6.58 feet)! Let's continue to advocate for inclusive workplaces where stories like mine become a thing of the past and every expectant parent is met with support and understanding. Here's to the valuable lessons of the future and the world we are striving to build. #Diversity #Inclusion #GrowthMindset #Parenthood #Leadership PS: I respect Orlando's wishes not to show pictures of his current age.

Navigating parenthood just got easier! Head to our website to find valuable resources and tip cards to guide you. https://lnkd.in/gCTkyQB4 #KCSL #strongerfamiliesstarthere #parents #resources

Why Listening to Our Wives is Smart Advice Our wives often provide the best counsel, yet many hesitate to follow it due to fear of judgment. Discover why their insights are invaluable and how embracing their advice can lead to better outcomes in life. It’s time to take their wisdom seriously! #WifeWisdom #RelationshipAdvice #ListenToYourPartner #MarriageMatters #Communication #WiseCounsel #BetterTogether #LifeAdvice #StrongRelationships #EmbraceWisdom

Hello world! I'm back at the Parliament of Victoria after a whirlwind nine months of parental leave. My return this time round feels less scary and daunting than it did the first-time round. My daily caffeine intake however is now slightly more pronounced. Having a solid support network of family, friends, and a workplace that truly has my back is something I don’t take for granted and has made this transition back into the paid workforce smoother than I could’ve imagined. The past months have felt like living in a parallel universe, where juggling the ever-evolving needs of two under two have at times felt all consuming. Gaya before she became an Amma might have been a bit of a perfectionist, trying to fit into a mould of who she thought she should be. But the Gaya who is Sevanthi and Leandro's Amma, is embracing the beautiful messiness of life. I am finding that parenthood is an ongoing lesson in flexibility, patience, and continuous self-reflection. My newfound superpowers include but are not limited to: mastering the art of prioritisation and efficiency, being more empathetic and even fiercer in standing up for what’s right, embracing softness and slowness, and not being afraid to fail. I’ve grown more in the past three years personally and professionally because of what parenthood is teaching me. To all the parents and caregivers out there, I see you! And if you haven’t already, ask the parents in your workplace what their parenting journey has taught them about making our workplaces better. Spoiler alert: they probably have some invaluable insights on leadership, teamwork, and resilience 😉 Looking forward to reconnecting and diving back into the work I love and enjoy 🤘🏾

The phrase "be good and like the eldest daughter-in-law" reflects the traditional roles expected of wives such as managing family affairs, caring for in-laws, and running the household. This put significant responsibilities and sacrifices on her. Wives need to wear conservative clothing and put minimal makeup as norms to maintain modesty. Additionally, wives, traditionally unpaid for their roles, always sacrificing for family, supporting the home and community. However, modern views are changing, emphasizing individual rights and more balanced family roles. They are now pursuing jobs, contributing economically to their families, so that they can reduce the financial burden on the family. Also, wives can achieve personal and professional growth by having a job. They can advance her professional and career development, which can contribute to a greater sense of personal fulfillment and self-esteem. How about dressing style? Adopting a non-conservative, more fashionable style of dressing that considers beauty and fits well can be a way for individuals, expressing their personal identity which can influence one's self-esteem. By choosing clothing that is stylish yet appropriate, individuals can maintain a balance between personal expression and the respect of their roles. We need to admit that dressing stylishly and prioritizing fitness and well-being can boost personal satisfaction, showing that it's possible to remain relevant and respectful while adopting modern trends. This is a positive approach. Again, this shift respects personal freedoms and adapts traditional roles to modern life. Feel confident and express yourself in the way you choose.

Teachers in the U.S. are rarely given paid time off after having kids, and many end up back in the classroom weeks after giving birth. With a finite pot of money for education, most states and districts haven't prioritized it. That's starting to slowly change in some states, but in the meantime teachers do some difficult workarounds like: -- putting off having kids for years so they can stockpile sick time -- asking colleagues to gift them more sick time -- trying to time a pregnancy for a summer birth -- taking off unpaid time and impacting their retirement, or taking pay that's deducted by the price of a substitute teacher Workers in a lot of industries face similar challenges, but I was surprised to learn how hard it is for many teachers. Here's my story featuring women from around the country. https://lnkd.in/gBwapVF9

Exploring the ideal timing for parenthood in demanding careers. Join us for Episode 1 of The Strong MD with Dr. Jaime Seeman and Dr. Marie Belin as they delve into this topic! 🎧 Tune in for insights: https://lnkd.in/euEn4V4Q #TheStrongMD #Parenthood #Residency #MedSchool #FamilyPlanning

Embracing Fatherhood: My Paternity Leave Journey I wanted to take a moment to share my experiences during my paternity leave, hoping it might resonate with and inspire other young fathers out there. My personal experience, as shown in the attached infographic, has been incredibly joyful and enlightening. I’ve learned so much about being a parent, from the small daily routines to the profound moments of bonding with my child. This period has truly been one of the happiest parts of my life. One key takeaway for me has been the importance of consistency. While we often do many of the right things as parents, we don’t always do them consistently. My time at home served as a powerful reminder to be consistent and to cherish every moment. I encourage all young fathers to embrace this special time. It’s a unique opportunity to grow, learn, and create lasting memories with your children. I’d love to hear from other fathers about your experiences. What have you learned during your paternity leave? Please comment below. #Fatherhood #PaternityLeave #Parenting #FamilyTime #Consistency

This is an important issue that isn't covered enough! Sadly, even with paid parental leave, many teachers with young children will leave the profession because it lacks the flexibility of many other "white collar" jobs, such as taking off when a child is sick or needs to go to the doctor. Without addressing these issues, we will continue to wrestle with a #teachershortage. So let's redesign teaching to offer more supportive and varied work opportunities to engage with students and with their colleagues. #strategicstaffing

Father's Day is about more than just celebrating our dads. It's about recognizing the huge impact they have on our lives. They are our mentors, cheerleaders and silent heroes. They teach us important qualities like having a vision, being resilient, showing empathy, and acting with integrity. Data Supporting Fathers' Impact : ⚖ Work-Life Balance : According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 62% of working fathers reported difficulties balancing work and family life, underscoring the importance of implementing supportive workplace policies. 📚Involvement in Education : A National Center for Education Statistics report found that children with highly involved fathers are 43% more likely to earn A's in school, showcasing the importance of paternal involvement. 💖Emotional Support : A study by the Fatherhood Institute revealed that children with engaged fathers have a 75% lower chance of experiencing depression, emphasizing the emotional benefits of fatherly involvement. 🌟Professional Influence : Research from Catalyst indicates that 50% of employees see their fathers as primary career role models, demonstrating the significant impact of fathers on professional development. 👩🏫 Let's celebrate Father's Day by recognizing the values and lessons they impart, shaping our characters and destinies. Thank you to all the fathers for your unwavering strength and guidance! #HappyFathersDay!